Unraveling the genetic basis of grain number-related traits in a wheat-Agropyron cristatum introgressed line through high-resolution linkage mapping.

BACKGROUND: Grain number per spike (GNS) is a pivotal determinant of grain yield in wheat. Pubing 3228 (PB3228), a wheat-Agropyron cristatum germplasm, exhibits a notably higher GNS. RESULTS: In this study, we developed a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from PB3228/Gao8901 (PG-RIL) and constructed a high-density genetic map comprising 101,136 loci, spanning 4357.3 cM using the Wheat 660 K SNP array. The genetic map demonstrated high collinearity with the wheat assembly IWGSC RefSeq v1.0. Traits related to grain number and spikelet number per spike were evaluated in seven environments for quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Five environmentally stable QTLs were detected in at least three environments. Among these, two major QTLs, QGns-4A.2 and QGns-1A.1, associated with GNS, exhibited positive alleles contributed by PB3228. Further, the conditional QTL analysis revealed a predominant contribution of PB3228 to the GNS QTLs, with both grain number per spikelet (GNSL) and spikelet number per spike (SNS) contributing to the overall GNS trait. Four kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers that linked to QGns-4A.2 and QGns-1A.1 were developed and found to be effective in verifying the QTL effect within a diversity panel. Compared to previous studies, QGns-4A.2 exhibited stability across different trials, while QGns-1A.1 represents a novel QTL. The results from unconditional and conditional QTL analyses are valuable for dissecting the genetic contribution of the component traits to GNS at the individual QTL level and for understanding the genetic basis of the superior grain number character in PB3228. The KASP markers can be utilized in marker-assisted selection for enhancing GNS. CONCLUSIONS: Five environmentally stable QTLs related to grain number and spikelet number per spike were identified. PB3228 contributed to the majority of the QTLs associated with GNS.

Accuracy of different registration areas using active and passive dynamic navigation systems in dental implant surgery: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: To gauge the relative accuracy of the use of passive and active dynamic navigation systems when placing dental implants, and to determine how registration areas affect the performance of these systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty implants were assigned to be placed into 40 total resin mandible models missing either the left or right first molars using either passive or active dynamic navigation system approaches. U-shaped tube registration devices were fixed in the edentulous site for 20 models each on the left or right side. Planned and actual implant positions were superimposed to assess procedural accuracy, and parameters including 3D entry deviation, angular deviation, and 3D apex deviation were evaluated with Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. RESULTS: Respective angular, entry, and apex deviation values of 1.563 ± 0.977°, 0.725 ± 0.268 mm, and 0.808 ± 0.284 mm were calculated for all included implants, with corresponding values of 1.388 ± 1.090°, 0.789 ± 0.285 mm, and 0.846 ± 0.301 mm in the active group and 1.739 ± 0.826°, 0.661 ± 0.236 mm, and 0.769 ± 0.264 mm in the passive group. Only angular deviation differed significantly among groups, and the registration area was not associated with any significant differences among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Passive and active dynamic navigation approaches can achieve comparable in vitro accuracy. Registration on one side of the missing single posterior tooth area in the mandible can complete single-tooth implantation on both sides of the posterior teeth, highlighting the promise of further clinical research focused on this topic.

Analysis of the accuracy of a dynamic navigation system when performing dental implant surgery with transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A pilot study.

Background/purpose: The success of transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE) is primarily reliant upon the experience of the surgeon owing to the limited operative visibility. To evaluate the accuracy associated with the use of a dynamic navigation system when conducting posterior maxilla implant surgery with TSFE. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight implants were placed in 28 patients requiring implantation in the posterior maxilla via a TSFE approach. The drills were used to access the planned position (within 1 mm of the bottom of the maxillary sinus floor) under dynamic navigation system. TSFE was then accomplished using osteotomes and a piezoelectric device. Lastly, the implant was inserted under the dynamic navigation. Three effective deviations between planned and actual implant placement were then measured including angular deviation (AD, degrees), entry point horizontal deviation (EPHD, mm), and apical point horizontal deviation (APHD, mm). Results: The AD, EPHD, and APHD between the planned and actual implant placement were 3.656 ± 1.665°, 1.073 ± 0.686 mm, and 1.086 ± 0.667 mm, respectively. Premolar site AD values were less than those for molar sites (P = 0.004). No significant differences in these outcomes were observed in different surgeons. Obvious sinus perforation was not detected by immediate postoperative cone beam computed tomography imaging. Conclusion: The accuracy associated with using a dynamic navigation system when conducting posterior maxilla implant surgery via a TSFE approach using piezoelectric devices was comparable. This technique thus achieved appropriate interventional precision and safety while decreasing the morbidity associated with the TSFE approach.

Relationships between physical activity, fundamental motor skills, and body mass index in preschool children.

Purpose: To investigate whether there is a potential relationship between physical activity (PA), fundamental motor skills (FMS), and Body Mass Index (BMI) in preschool children and to further explore the differences in PA and FMS between normal-weight and overweight/obese preschool children. Method: Participants were 366 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years; 358 completed all tests (194 boys and 164 girls). PA, FMS, body weight, and height were measured by triaxial accelerometer, the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2), and anthropometry measurement, respectively. Result: The overall rate of overweight/obesity was 17.0%, with no significant gender difference (χ 2 = 0.628, p = 0.428). Older children perform significantly better in both object control skills and locomotor skills. Independent samples t-tests were used to examine the difference between genders on FMS and PA: girls in the 5-year-old group display better locomotor skills (p = 0.012) than boys. Boys spent more time on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and less time on sedentary activity when compared to girls. Results of partial correlation analysis showed that PA was significantly and positively correlated with both locomotor skills and object control skills in preschool children (p < 0.01), while there was no correlation between FMS, PA level, and BMI. Results of ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in FMS between normal-weight and overweight or obese preschool children; normal-weight girls had significantly longer MPA and MVPA duration and significantly shorter sedentary periods than overweight or obese girls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Overweight/obesity in preschool children requires effective measures. PA is positively associated with FMS, while BMI is not potentially related to FMS or PA in preschool years. Overweight or obese girls should develop healthier weight status by increasing MVPA hours and reducing sedentary time.

[Effects of TUG1 on hepatic fibrosis and its mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) in hepatic fibrosis. Methods: According to the literature, the classic hepatic fibrosis model of rats induced by 1%DMN(1ml/kg/d) was established. The rats with hepatic fibrosis and activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were divided into model control group, negative control group (transfected with siRNA negative control), siRNA interference group (transfected with TUG1). At the end of the experiment, hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the pathological changes of liver tissue; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to determine the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), TUG1, collagen I, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), Smad2 and Smad3 in rat liver tissue and activated hepatic stellate cells. Results: Compared with the model control group, the protein and gene levels of TUG1 and α-SMA in the negative control group were increased significantly(P＜0.05). The protein and gene levels of TUG1, α-SMA, collagen I, MMP-2, TIMP-1, Smad2 and Smad3 in the liver tissue and activated hepatic stellate cells in the siRNA interference group were decreased (P＜0.05) while compared with the blank control group and the negative control group. There were no significant differences in the levels of TUG1, α-SMA, collagen I, MMP-2, TIMP-1, Smad2 and Smad3 in the liver tissue and activated hepatic stellate cells between the control group and the negative control group (P＞0.05). Conclusion: TUG1 level is elevated in hepatic fibrosis tissue and activated hepatic stellate cells. Silencing TUG1 may improve the pathological damage of hepatic fibrosis induced by 1% DMN by inhibiting the transforming growth factor(TGF-ß1)/ Smad signaling pathway.

Three Novel ACE Inhibitory Peptides Isolated From Ginkgo biloba Seeds: Purification, Inhibitory Kinetic and Mechanism.

Alcalase, dispase, trypsin, and flavourzyme were used to hydrolyze the extracted Ginkgo biloba seeds protein isolate (GPI). The Ginkgo protein hydrolyzates (GPHs) with the maximum degree of hydrolysis (DH) and ACE inhibitory activity were selected, and ultra-filtered to obtain components with different molecular weights (MW) (<1 kDa, 1-3, 3-5, and 5-10 kDa). The components with MW of <1 kDa showed better ACE inhibition (IC50:0.2227 mg/mL). Purification and identification by Sephadex G-15 gel chromatography and LC-MS/MS conferred three new potential ACE inhibitory peptides [TNLDWY (non-competitive suppression mode), IC50: 1.932 mM; RADFY (competitive inhibition modes), IC50:1.35 mM; RVFDGAV (competitive inhibition modes), IC50:1.006 mM]. Molecular docking depicting the inhibitory mechanism for ACE inhibitory peptides indicated that the peptides bound well to ACE and interacted with amino acid residues at the ACE active site.

Effect of superfine grinding on properties of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb leaves powder.

Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb, have been widely used in various traditional medicines and food products. The narrow and uniform particle size distribution in V. bracteatum Thunb leaves (VBTL) can be achieved through a new emerging type of foodstuff processing and superfine grinding. The VBTL powders were subjected to four particle sizes as followed: 300-125, 125-75, 75-40, and <40 µm. The VBTL powders were observed to be with smaller size and bulk density, greater surface area, tapped density and the angle of repose. Water solubility index, water holding capacity and total flavonoid extraction increased slightly with the decrease in particle size. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that the VBTL exhibiting particle size of <40 µm had the lowest peak temperature; whereas, powder with a particle size of 125-300 µm displayed the largest endothermic enthalpy. Our results of the properties of VBTL superfine powder supplied the basis for VBTL in potential industrial applications of foods.

Hypermethylation of AKT2 gene is associated with neural-tube defects in fetus.

INTRODUCTION: Neural-tube defects (NTDs) are common birth defects of complex etiology. Although many studies have confirmed a genetic component, the exact mechanism between DNA methylation and NTDs remains unclear. METHODS: In this work, we investigated the alteration of methylation from placental tissues obtained from 152 normal infants or with NTDs in 130 children with neural-tube defects. Genome-wide changes in DNA methylation were measured using the NimbleGen microarray. The expression levels of 12 genes were also determined, and two genes (AKT2 and CDC25C) showed low expression in NTDs by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Then, the methyhlated region of AKT2 promoter sequences were confirmed by massARRAY. RESULTS: A total of 150 differentially methylated regions (81 low methylated regions and 69 high methylated regions) were selected by microarray. The expression levels of AKT2 and CDC25C showed lower expression in NTDs. And the percentage of methyhlated region of AKT2 promoter were increased in NTDs. CONCLUSIONS: DNA mythelation was one of the possible epigenetic variations correlated with the occurrence of NTDs, and AKT2 may be a candidate gene for NTDs.

Association between Long Interspersed Nuclear Element-1 Methylation and Relative Telomere Length in Wilms Tumor.

BACKGROUND: DNA hypomethylation of long interspersed nuclear elements-1 (LINEs-1) occurs during carcinogenesis, whereas information addressing LINE-1 methylation in Wilms tumor (WT) is limited. The main purpose of our study was to quantify LINE-1 methylation levels and evaluate their relationship with relative telomere length (TL) in WT. METHODS: We investigated LINE-1 methylation and relative TL using bisulfite-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR, respectively, in 20 WT tissues, 10 normal kidney tissues and a WT cell line. Significant changes were analyzed by t-tests. RESULTS: LINE-1 methylation levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and relative TLs were significantly shorter (P < 0.05) in WT compared with normal kidney. There was a significant positive relationship between LINE-1 methylation and relative TL in WT (r = 0.671, P = 0.001). LINE-1 Methylation levels were significantly associated with global DNA methylation (r = 0.332, P < 0.01). In addition, relative TL was shortened and LINE-1 methylation was decreased in a WT cell line treated with the hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine compared with untreated WT cell line. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LINE-1 hypomethylation is common and may be linked to telomere shortening in WT.

MiR-34b/c rs4938723 Polymorphism Significantly Decreases the Risk of Digestive Tract Cancer: Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies investigating the association between miR-34b/c rs4938723 polymorphism and cancer risk showed inconclusive. Here, we performed meta-analysis to investigate the association between miR- 34b/c rs4938723 polymorphism and digestive cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature database including PubMed, OVID, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for publications concerning the association between the miR-34b/c rs4938723 polymorphism and digestive cancer risk. RESULTS: A total of 6 studies consisting of 3246 cases and 3568 controls were included in this meta-analysis. The combined analysis suggested the miR-34b/c rs4938723 polymorphism significantly reduced digestive cancer risk under allelic model, homogeneous co-dominant model and recessive model (C vs T: OR=0.88, 95%CI=0.82-0.95, p-value=0.001; CC vs TT: OR =0.67, 95%CI=0.57-0.80, p-value=0.000; CC vs TT/TC: OR=0.68, 95%CI=0.58-0.80, p-value=0.000). Q-test and I2 test revealed no significant heterogeneity in all genotype comparisons. The Begger's funnel plot and Egger's test did not show significant publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence supports the conclusion that the miR-34b/c rs4938723 polymorphism decreases an individual's susceptibility to digestive cancers.

[Normal occlusion study: using T-Scan III occlusal analysis system].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the normal occlusal force distribution and the characteristics of the occlusion time at different occlusion position using T-Scan III occlusal analysis system. METHODS: Fifty-three volunteers with normal occlusion, including 29 males and 24 females, were included in this study. The average age was (25.9 ± 2.1) years old. T-Scan III occlusal analysis system was used to measure the occlusal force distribution and the time character of normal occlusion at intercuspal position, protrusive position, and lateral excursive position. RESULTS: At intercuspal position the left and right side molar teeth took the most part of force percentage, followed by (13.3 ± 4.3)%, (13.6 ± 5.4)%, (15.7 ± 7.1)%, (18.7 ± 7.5)% (6, 6, 7, 7); and 7654, 4567 took (61.3 ± 12.4)% force percentage; and the left and right sides took the respective percentages of (46.4 ± 7.0)%, (53.6 ± 7.0)%, the left side was significantly less than the right side(P < 0.05). At the protrusion position the region ( 21, 12) commitment to take the percentage of (85.1 ± 25.5)%. At left and right lateral position, 28% (13/46) and 30%(14/46) were cuspid-protected occlusion, and 33%(15/46) and 44%(20/46) were group functional occlusion, and 39%(18/46) and 26%(12/46) were multiple-protected occlusion. The average occlusion time was (0.34 ± 0.11) s, and disclusion time was (1.00 ± 0.39) s. CONCLUSIONS: At intercuspal position the region from first premolar to second molar teeth were the occlusal force centers, and the second molar is the most;.the force concentrated in the area ( 21, 12) at the protrusion position. The lateral occlusal pattern is multiformity.